Oroville gyms ‘try to get ahead of this thing’ by shortening hours, closing for coronavirus

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Lord’s Gym employee Ryan Smith wipes down a piece of exercise equipment with disinfectant Tuesday in Oroville. The gym is shortening it’s hours, but will be open while staff are on duty, instead of being open 24/7 to members. (Matt Bates — Mercury-Register)

OROVILLE – The Oroville YMCA received a mandatory shutdown notice from YMCA of Superior California on Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic but received permission to offer an “emergency day camp” for out-of-school children.

“It’s a service to parents who just don’t have the option to stay home with their kids during this time,” said Breann Hastain, membership coordinator.

The day camp is open to children 4 to 14 years old, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost per child, per day is $28 for non-YMCA members and $20 a day for members. The program includes breakfast, lunch and two snacks. Registration may only be done in person at the YMCA office at 1684 Robinson St. No registrations will be accepted by telephone or email.

The Oroville YMCA is seen Tuesday in Oroville. The facility is closed but will host an emergency day camp for children whose parents don’t have the option to stay home. (Matt Bates — Mercury-Register)

“We are sanitizing everything every hour including doorknobs, counters, mirrors, floors. Anything that can be wiped down with a Clorox wipe is getting wiped down,” said Hastain.

Until further notice the Y will continue offering day camp but the facility — including its gym, pool and all classes — will remain closed “until we get permission from YMCA of Superior California to open again,” said Hastain.

Other gyms around the city are also making changes to accommodate and protect members.

It was business as usual at Anytime Fitness where manager Chris Saeturn was keeping the gym open 24/7 until Tuesday night when the owners decided to shut the gym at 7 p.m.

“We hadn’t made any changes to operating hours but we did double down, tripled down on cleaning. But the owners have decided for the safety of everyone to close for now until further notice to try to get ahead of this thing,” said Saeturn.

The Lord’s Gym, seen Tuesday in Oroville is sanitizing all machines and equipment regularly and has restricted its hours. (Matt Bates — Mercury-Register)

The Lord’s Gym is sanitizing all machines and equipment regularly and has restricted its hours. Instead of being open 24/7, the facility is now only open during times when staff are on duty: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We don’t know for how long we’ll keep these hours but for now this is what we’re sticking to until further notice,” said David Musset, membership manager.